in trying to

USAGE SUMMARY

"in trying to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when the speaker is attempting or attempting to do something. For example, "I spent the whole day in trying to find the perfect birthday gift for my friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm interested in trying to improve".

The New York Times

The Guardian in trying to get confirmation.

The Guardian

"He came in trying to kill somebody.

The New York Times

Who are your biggest allies in trying to fight censorship?

University of California, Berkeley

Although the group obtained a $2.3 millionn offer, it became deadlocked in trying to respond.

Research Policy

There were many complications in trying to forge a consensus.

The New York Times

"This is problematic in trying to create business relationships".

The New York Times

In trying to tell Chinese war lords apart.

The New Yorker

Everton are interested in trying to tempt him away.

Independent

At least we've been aggressive in trying to upgrade ourselves".

The New York Times - Sports

Lobello, though, was alone in trying to find his victims.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in trying to" to clearly indicate the purpose or intention behind an action, especially when explaining challenges or difficulties encountered.

Common error

Avoid using "in trying to" when a simpler construction like "to" or "by" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. For example, instead of "In trying to fix the car, I made it worse," consider "I made the car worse by trying to fix it."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in trying to" functions as an introductory phrase indicating purpose or intention. It sets the context for the action that follows, often highlighting an effort to achieve a particular outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in trying to" is a versatile introductory phrase used to indicate the purpose or intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English writing. Its frequency across various sources like News & Media, Science, and Academia, shows its broad applicability. While highly useful, it's important to avoid overuse and ensure the construction adds clarity and purpose to your writing. Alternatives such as "in attempting to" or "with the aim of" can add variety and nuance to your expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in attempting to

Focuses more on the act of attempting, similar in meaning but emphasizes the effort.

by trying to

A more concise and direct alternative, focusing on the method.

in an effort to

Highlights the exertion of effort toward a specific goal.

with the aim of

Specifically points out the intention or objective.

with a view to

A more formal way of expressing intention or purpose.

while endeavoring to

More formal and emphasizes a serious or determined effort.

while working to

Emphasizes the active process and labor involved.

when seeking to

Emphasizes the act of searching or pursuing a goal.

as one strives to

Highlights ongoing effort and ambition.

as we look to

Suggests anticipation and forward-thinking approach.

FAQs

How can I use "in trying to" in a sentence?

Use "in trying to" to introduce an action someone undertakes with a specific intention, often highlighting an attempt to overcome a challenge. For example, "In trying to solve the problem, we discovered new issues."

What are some alternatives to using "in trying to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "in attempting to", "with the aim of", or "by trying to" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it ever incorrect to use "in trying to"?

While grammatically correct, overusing "in trying to" can make your writing sound awkward. Sometimes a simpler construction with "to" or "by" is more effective. Choose the phrasing that best fits the context and maintains clarity.

What's the difference between "in trying to" and "trying to"?

"In trying to" explicitly sets the stage for an intentional action or effort. "Trying to" is more direct. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the intention behind the action or simply state the action itself. For instance, compare "In trying to understand, I researched extensively" versus "Trying to understand, I read many articles."